Dual-deflector riding blower

Abstract

A riding debris mover for moving debris on a surface from a first location to a second location comprises a frame coupled to a riding platform adapted to support a user, and a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame comprising at least two opposing traction wheels for driving the riding blower. A power source is coupled to the frame and is operatively coupled with at least the two traction wheels, whereby the traction wheels are rotated independently and the riding blower is propelled. A blower assembly has an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, the blower assembly being supported by the frame and operatively coupled with the power source, whereby the blower assembly generates a stream of air from the air outlet opening. A deflector assembly is associated with the blower assembly and comprises at least one movable deflector, whereby the at least one movable deflector can be independently moved between an open position, a closed position, and a position intermediate the open position and closed position, to control the air flow and air flow velocity of the stream of air generated by the blower assembly.

1. A riding debris mover for moving debris on a surface from a first location to a second location, comprising:
 a frame coupled to a riding platform adapted to support a user; 
 a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame comprising at least two opposing traction wheels for driving the riding blower; 
 a power source coupled to the frame and operatively coupled with the at least two traction wheels, whereby the at least two traction wheels are rotated independently and the riding blower is propelled; 
 
       a blower assembly having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, the blower assembly being supported by the frame and operatively coupled with the power source, whereby the blower assembly generates a stream of air from the air outlet opening; and
 a deflector assembly associated with the blower assembly and comprising at least one movable deflector, whereby the at least one movable deflector can be independently moved between an open position, a closed position, and a position intermediate the open position and closed position, to control the air flow and air flow velocity of the stream of air generated by the blower assembly; 
 the blower deflector having top, side and bottom lips defining the air outlet opening with the side lips being inclined inwardly over at least a portion of their length toward the bottom lip, such that the air outlet opening opens both in a horizontal-lateral direction and in a vertically-downward direction; 
 the at least one deflector being hingedly supported on a top wall that defines part of the air outlet opening and having an outer edge adjustably positionable to selectively deflect air in one or both of the horizontal-lateral direction and the vertically-downward direction. 
 
     
     
       2. A riding debris mover according to  claim 1  and further comprising a safety cage operatively coupled with the air inlet opening for preventing the introduction of large particles into the blower assembly. 
     
     
       3. A riding debris mover for moving debris on a surface from a first location to a second location, comprising:
 a frame coupled to a riding platform adapted to support a user; 
 a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame comprising at least two opposing traction wheels for driving the riding blower; 
 a power source coupled to the frame and operatively coupled with the at least two traction wheels, whereby the at least two traction wheels are rotated independently and the riding blower is propelled; 
 a blower assembly having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, the blower assembly being supported by the frame and operatively coupled with the power source, whereby the blower assembly generates a stream of air from the air outlet opening; 
 a deflector assembly associated with the blower assembly and comprising at least one movable deflector, whereby the at least one movable deflector can be independently moved between an open position, a closed position, and a position intermediate the open position and closed position, to control the air flow and air flow velocity of the stream of air generated by the blower; 
 wherein the riding platform supports a user in other than a sitting position; and 
 pedestal that is connected to the frame and extends generally upward therefrom adjacent the support platform, and at least one control associated with the pedestal selected from a group that includes ignition switch, brake lever, parking brake lever, and hydraulic control. 
 
     
     
       4. A riding debris mover according to  claim 3  wherein the blower assembly comprises at least one impeller. 
     
     
       5. A riding debris mover according to  claim 3  wherein the deflector assembly comprises at least two deflector actuators each operatively coupled to a movable deflector for selectively moving the movable deflector. 
     
     
       6. A riding debris mover according to  claim 3  and further comprising a collar coupled to a flexible hose, the collar having a bayonet connection, whereby the collar can be coupled with the air inlet opening to fluidly couple the flexible hose to the air inlet opening. 
     
     
       7. A riding debris mover according to  claim 3  wherein the power source operatively coupled with the at least the two traction wheels is a hydraulic drive motor. 
     
     
       8. A riding debris mover according to  claim 3  wherein the power source operatively coupled with the blower assembly is an internal combustion engine. 
     
     
       9. A riding debris mover according to  claim 3  wherein the moving of the debris from a first location to a second location comprises blowing the debris. 
     
     
       10. A riding debris mover according to  claim 3  wherein the moving of the debris from a first location to a second location comprises vacuuming the debris. 
     
     
       11. A riding debris mover according to  claim 3  wherein the moving of the debris from a first location to a second location comprises loading the debris into a receptacle. 
     
     
       12. A riding debris mover according to  claim 3  wherein the plurality of wheels comprises at least one front wheel coupled to a subframe, the subframe being pivotally coupled to the frame for articulation of the at least one front wheel about an axis that is generally parallel to the surface. 
     
     
       13. A riding debris mover for moving debris on a surface from a first location to a second location, comprising:
 a frame coupled to a riding platform adapted to support a user; 
 a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame comprising at least two opposing traction wheels for driving the riding blower; 
 a power source coupled to the frame and operatively coupled with the at least two traction wheels, whereby the at least two traction wheels are rotated independently and the riding blower is propelled; 
 a blower assembly having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, the blower assembly being supported by the frame and operatively coupled with the power source, whereby the blower assembly generates a stream of air from the air outlet opening; 
 a deflector assembly associated with the blower assembly and comprising at least one movable deflector, whereby the at least one movable deflector can be independently moved between an open position, a closed position, and a position intermediate the open position and closed position, to control the air flow and air flow velocity of the stream of air generated by the blower; 
 wherein the riding platform supports a user in other than a sitting position; and 
 wherein the deflector assembly comprises at least two deflector actuators each operatively coupled to a movable deflector for selectively moving the movable deflector. 
 
     
     
       14. A riding debris mover according to  claim 13  wherein each deflector actuator comprises a motor and a worm gear, and is operatively coupled to a transmission having at least one spur gear for converting the rotation of the worm gear to rotation of the spur gear. 
     
     
       15. A riding debris mover according to  claim 14  and further comprising at least two actuator arms each operatively coupled to a spur gear and pivotally coupled to one of the at least two movable deflectors for moving the movable deflector with operation of a deflector actuator. 
     
     
       16. A riding debris mover for moving debris on a surface from a first location to a second location, comprising:
 a frame coupled to a riding platform adapted to support a user; 
 a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame comprising at least two opposing traction wheels for driving the riding blower; 
 a power source coupled to the frame and operatively coupled with the at least two traction wheels, whereby the at least two traction wheels are rotated independently and the riding blower is propelled; 
 a blower assembly having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, the blower assembly being supported by the frame and operatively coupled with the power source, whereby the blower assembly generates a stream of air from the air outlet opening; 
 a deflector assembly associated with the blower assembly and comprising at least one movable deflector, whereby the at least one movable deflector can be independently moved between an open position, a closed position, and a position intermediate the open position and closed position, to control the air flow and air flow velocity of the stream of air generated by the blower; 
 further comprising a safety cage operatively coupled with the air inlet opening for preventing the introduction of large particles into the blower assembly; and 
 further comprising a bayonet connection wherein the safety cage is coupled with the air inlet opening through the bayonet connection. 
 
     
     
       17. A riding debris mover according to  claim 16  wherein the riding platform supports a user in other than a sitting position. 
     
     
       18. A riding debris mover according to  claim 16  wherein the plurality of wheels comprises at least one caster wheel. 
     
     
       19. A riding debris mover for moving debris on a surface from a first location to a second location, comprising:
 a frame coupled to a riding platform adapted to support a user; 
 a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame comprising at least two opposing traction wheels for driving the riding blower; 
 a power source coupled to the frame and operatively coupled with the at least two traction wheels, whereby the at least two traction wheels are rotated independently and the riding blower is propelled; 
 a blower assembly having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, the blower assembly being supported by the frame and operatively coupled with the power source, whereby the blower assembly generates a stream of air from the air outlet opening; 
 a deflector assembly associated with the blower assembly and comprising at least one movable deflector, whereby the at least one movable deflector can be independently moved between an open position, a closed position, and a position intermediate the open position and closed position, to control the air flow and air flow velocity of the stream of air generated by the blower; 
 further comprising a safety cage operatively coupled with the air inlet opening for preventing the introduction of large particles into the blower assembly; and 
 further comprising a shutoff switch associated with the air inlet opening and operable through the coupling of the safety cage with the air inlet opening. 
 
     
     
       20. A riding debris mover for moving debris on a surface from a first location to a second location, comprising:
 a frame coupled to a riding platform adapted to support a user; 
 a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame comprising at least two opposing traction wheels for driving the riding blower; 
 a power source coupled to the frame and operatively coupled with the at least two traction wheels, whereby the at least two traction wheels are rotated independently and the riding blower is propelled; 
 a blower assembly having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, the blower assembly being supported by the frame and operatively coupled with the power source, whereby the blower assembly generates a stream of air from the air outlet opening; 
 a deflector assembly associated with the blower assembly and comprising at least one movable deflector, whereby the at least one movable deflector can be independently moved between an open position, a closed position, and a position intermediate the open position and closed position, to control the air flow and air flow velocity of the stream of air generated by the blower assembly; 
 wherein the power source is adapted to rotate a shaft; and 
 wherein the blower assembly includes an impeller operatively coupled with the power source, the impeller comprising at least one impeller blade for moving air through the blower when the impeller is rotated by the power source whereby the blower assembly generates a stream of air from the air outlet opening; and 
 a safety cage adapted for coupling with the air inlet opening and comprising a circular wall terminating in a circular lip; and 
 wherein when the safety cage is coupled with the air inlet opening, the circular lip is positioned immediately adjacent the at least one impeller blade to define an airflow path from the air inlet opening through the impeller that minimizes the flow of air from between the circular lip and the at least one impeller blade. 
 
     
     
       21. A riding debris mover according to  claim 20  and further comprising a bayonet connection wherein the safety cage is coupled with the air inlet opening through the bayonet connection. 
     
     
       22. A riding debris mover according to  claim 20  and further comprising a shutoff switch associated with the air inlet opening and operable through the coupling of the safety cage with the air inlet opening. 
     
     
       23. A riding debris mover according to  claim 20  wherein the moving of the debris from the first location to the second location comprises blowing the debris. 
     
     
       24. A riding debris mover according to  claim 20  wherein the moving of the debris from the first location to the second location comprises vacuuming the debris. 
     
     
       25. A riding debris mover according to  claim 20  wherein the moving of the debris from the first location to the second location comprises loading the debris into a receptacle. 
     
     
       26. A riding debris mover for moving debris on a surface from a first location to a second location, comprising:
 a frame coupled to a riding platform adapted to support a user; 
 a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame comprising at least two opposing traction wheels for driving the riding blower; 
 a power source coupled to the frame and operatively coupled with the at least two traction wheels, whereby the at least two traction wheels are rotated independently and the riding blower is propelled; 
 a blower assembly having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, the blower assembly being supported by the frame and operatively coupled with the power source, whereby the blower assembly generates a stream of air from the air outlet opening; and 
 a deflector assembly associated with the blower assembly and comprising at least one movable deflector, whereby the at least one movable deflector can be independently moved between an open position, a closed position, and a position intermediate the open position and closed position, to control the air flow and air flow velocity of the stream of air generated by the blower assembly; the deflector assembly having top, side and bottom walls defining the air outlet opening with the side walls being spaced a first distance apart; the at least one deflector including first and second deflectors positioned between the spaced side walls in horizontally-adjacent positions, and being independently adjustable to selectively deflect air exiting the air outlet opening. 
 
     
     
       27. The riding debris mover defined in  claim 26 , wherein the removable cage includes a circular lip that, when attached to the blower assembly, positions the circular lip closely adjacent the at least one impeller blade to increase effectiveness and air output of the at least one impeller blade.